Huntington Beach, CA (February 18, 2022) – Huntington Beach’s Tom Backer used his local knowledge to win the open division at the 2022 Kneeboard Surfing USA Titles and Kneeboard Festival. The event was held February 18 on the south side of Huntington Beach pier in shoulder-high surf which stayed clean most of the day. It was Backer’s third KSUSA title, his first two coming at Oceanside in 2008 and 2017.

In the Women’s Division, North Carolina’s Patricia Hook bested Cynthia Wornham of Malibu to win her first KSUSA title.

One of the premier kneeboarding events in the world, the Kneeboard Surfing USA Titles attracted a field of 65 competitors from as far away as South Africa, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. In addition to the open and Women’s divisions, kneeboarders competed in Junior’s, and Pro Junior’s, AAA, and AA divisions.

This year’s event was dedicated to the memory of Don Harris, founder and long-time president of KSUSA. Harris passed away in October 2019 while surfing in Northern California. To honor Harris, a new perpetual trophy in his name was created to be presented to the open division champion each year.

The 2022 US Kneeboard Surfing USA Titles is the last major contest for U.S. competitors prior to the 2022 World Titles being held in Costa Nova, Portugal September 8-18.

One of the longest-running events of its kind in the world, KSUSA has previously hosted 13 U.S. Titles and one World Titles event. For more information, visit ksusa.org.

Final Results:

Open Division: 1. Tom Backer, 2. Kevin Skvarna, 3. Gigs Celliers, 4. Shaun Murphy

Women’s Division: 1. Patricia Hook, 2. Cynthia Wornham

Pro Junior’s Division: 1. Kevin Skvarna, 2. Chris Linn, 3. Liam O’Callighan, 4. Evan Odom

Junior’s Division: 1. Milo Evans

AAA: 1. Adam Shapiro, 2. Bill Lerner, 3. Ed Quinn, 4. Chris Linn

AA: 1. Sean Noone, 2. Wesley Swartz, 3. Jason Foster, 4. Paul Devoy, 5. Johnny Kessel, 6. Michael Tieger

Premier Sponsors: Barry Snyder Designs, Bird’s Surf Shed, Blast Surf Designs, Blenders Eyewear, BruSurf, Freeline Design, Casa Sirena Surf Lodge, TK’s Frog House, Parkes Kneeboards, Rick Blake Art, SD Kneeboards, Yucca Fins

Event Sponsors: Bill Lerner, Block Surf, Bolsa Clothing, Dangerclose GoPro Handles, Disorderly Images, Gryptalite High Performance Traction, Hanalei Fins, Hawaiian Line International Apparel, Ho Stevie!, Jeff Wallis Photography, Jeffrey Ommen Photography, Kneelo Nation, Rinse Kit, Stay Covered, Stonefish Skegs, Surf Yogis, Tide Has Turned, Tidelines Calendars, Trimco Hardware, Victory Koredry, Viper Surfing Fins.